Creating engaging behind-the-scenes (BTS) videos can be a great way to connect with your customers and give them a glimpse into the process and effort behind your work.

Here are some tips to help you create captivating videos that will encourage your customers to connect with you.

Plan Your Shots

Your story needs a narrative. Think about how you can tell a story about your product, whether it’s about the preparation, challenges in how you make it, or the final product. Pick moments that give your customers insight in the process. Show something or unexpected such as employees bloopers, DIY hacks, or a product prototype malfunctions.

Choose Authenticity

Showing the unfiltered side of your business is embracing authenticity. Being messy, imperfect or humorous helps humanize your video. Use music to set the tone for your video. Use tracks that match the vibe – high energy or laid back.

Use High-Quality Visuals

Make sure to use good lighting. Natural light or portable lighting can be used to highlight important moments. Harsh lightening creates shadows. Try using softboxes, ring lights or natural light filtered through a curtain to get even lighting.

You can use a three-point lighting set up: a key, or main light, positioned at a 45-degree angle from your subject, a fill light on the opposite side to soften shadows and a backlight behind your subject to create depth and separation from the background.

Smooth camera movements keep the video flowing. Use a gimbal or tripod to keep your camera steady. Move slowly and at a controlled pace to avoid jerky movements.

 Show the Progress

Customers love to see how things looked before and after an action. So the ingredients you’re using to make a recipe and then the finished dish. Or you can show a model’s bare face without makeup and then with a polished makeup job.

Four techniques for before-and-after video shots:

• Timelapse, such as setting up an event or building a set
• Jump cuts, showing key moments in sequence, such as with different stages of a project
• Behind-the-scenes commentary, such as interviewing the team or narrating what changing
• Handheld point-of-view shots, adding first-person perspective.

By focusing on authenticity, storytelling, and high-quality visuals, your BTS videos can be both informative and engaging, creating a deeper connection with your audience.